Meet Nicole! She's from Coquitlam, B.C. but has been a resident of Penticton for over five years! You can find Nicole venturing Penticton with the commitment to coaching local entrepreneurs on how to find success in the Okanagan.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband- he makes me laugh!
Describe yourself in one word.
Committed.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Great Britain, my ancestors are from England, Scotland and Ireland and I would love to explore their history.
What is your favourite activity in Penticton?
Going to the Farmer's Market every Saturday.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Attending T. Harv Eker's Enlightened Warrior Training Camp. The camp activities were far outside of my comfort zone and the comfort zone of most of the participants. It was incredible to witness other people and myself overcoming our fears.
The experience really validated that you can do anything you want to if you set your mind to it!
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My favourite memory is my 11th birthday. A male student in my class brought me a large, heavy box. He and his little brother pulled it to my house during the sleepover party I was having. I got it open only to find that it was full of rocks. He told me there was a present in the rocks.
It turned out to be a stub of a pencil that had a paper flag taped to it that said Happy Birthday. He became one of my best friends.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I am President of Penticton Women in Business and on the Board of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce. I also volunteer my time with a variety of local non-profits, usually in teaching or coaching people to a better life. I also belong to 100 Women Who Care.
My husband and I have four hockey players who billet with us for the school year while they attend OHA. We have been billeting since 2004.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Everyone would have the opportunity to reach their full potential
Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
My back deck which has an amazing view of Okanagan Lake
Where would you like to see positive change in Penticton and why?
I would love to see the community come together to discuss the issues that we face rather than being so divided. I think this process has started with the Smart Cities Challenge application. For me, positive change would be in solving the housing shortage so that people aren't living on the streets at one end, and can find a place to rent or buy on the other.
What do you think makes Penticton great?
The location between two lakes, the people, floating down the channel, events, volunteerism, entrepreneurial spirit...I can't imagine living anywhere else
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Travel to the wine regions of Europe, spend a winter in St Lucia or St Kitts, and attend a Broadway Play in NYC.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I love to curl up to a great fiction novel.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram
What is the name of your business/organization?
KISStrategies for Business Inc.
Why did you get into/start this business?
To help decrease the number of business failures.
What is the goal of your business?
To teach small business owners how to run a successful business.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
I suffered from depression and anxiety for a few years which really affected everything in my life.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Since every decision we make affects the path we are on, I would say I would do the same things as I am very happy in my life right now.
What do you always find yourself saying?
How you do anything is how you do everything
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Focus on finding solutions not on the problems
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Michael E. Gerber, author of "The eMyth Revisited". He is 81 years old and wrote that particular book in the early nineties. I would love to be able to pick his brain about what he has learned about business.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Locally owned businesses are the life blood of our communities. I will go out of my way to shop at a local business rather than a big box
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Instilling great values in my son. I am soooo proud of the man he has become.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Keith MacIntyre for spearheading the Smart Cities Challenge Application for Penticton!
My choice for the PentictonNow In Focus spotlight is:
Keith MacIntyre
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I feel really good about the direction our city seems to be moving in. I see more collaboration between businesses. More people stepping up to do something about things they have complained about previously. I am proud and happy to call Penticton home.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by emailing [email protected]. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Penticton!
